Jacob

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Teaching Notes

“We all tend to live in the direction of the voices we believe most.”

- John Ortberg

JACOB | YOUR NAME MATTERS

EARLY LIFE: Living Out His NAME (Genesis 25–27)
Approx. Ages: 0–40 years old

Key Events:

  • Second-born twin, grasping Esau’s heel, named Jacob, meaning "Heel-grabber" or "deceiver" (Genesis 25:26)
  • Raised in a divided home: Isaac favored Esau, Rebekah favored Jacob.
  • Manipulated Esau to trade his birthright for a bowl of stew (Genesis 25:29-34).
  • Deceived his father, Isaac, to steal the blessing meant for Esau (Genesis 27).
  • Forced to flee for his life after Esau’s threats (Genesis 27:41-45).

Core Theme: Jacob hustles for blessing through deceit, living out the broken identity spoken over him.

We tend to live INTO the names SPOKEN over us.

What names are shaping your life? 

 

EXILE YEARS: The School of HARD KNOCKS (Genesis 28–31)
Approx. Ages: 40–60 years old (Jacob spends 20 years in exile.)

Key Events:

  • Jacob encounters God on the run and calls the place Bethel. (Genesis 28)
  • Falls in love with Rachel and works for his uncle Laban (Genesis 29). 
  • Deceived by Laban into marrying Leah first (Genesis 29).
  • Marries Rachel, takes two maidservants: builds a large, dysfunctional family (Genesis 29–30).
  • Struggles with family rivalry, jealousy, and competition between wives.  

Core Theme:
Jacob reaps what he sowed. Deception begets deception. God meets him in the wilderness with grace.

There is no PLACE where God’s GRACE can’t break in.

When do you feel far from God?

 

RETURN HOME: Wrestling with GOD (Genesis 32–35)
Approx. Ages: 60–70+ years old

Key Events:

  • Prepares to meet Esau in fear (Genesis 32).
  • Wrestles with God at Peniel & receives a new name, Israel: "One who wrestles with God" (Genesis 32:22-32).
  • Reconciles with Esau – unexpected grace (Genesis 33).
  • Returns to Bethel to renew his commitment to God (Genesis 35).
  • God reaffirms covenant promises; reaffirms his new name (Genesis 35:9-15).
  • Father of the 12 tribes of Israel.

Core Theme:
God gives Jacob a new identity, no longer a deceiver, but one marked by grace, dependence, and covenant.

When we WRESTLE with God, He gives us a NEW NAME.

Where do you need to wrestle with God?